Archive for the ‘Thoughts’ Category
September 11th
Saturday, September 11th, 2010
Looking back, what I remember most of all about that day is bewilderment. I was working alone in the technology lab of the high school where I was employed, and one of the other teachers came to get me so I would know what was happening. None of us understood the what or the why of the situation, at least initially. All three of my children were attending school on the same campus (one in pre-school, one in middle school, and one in high school), and at the end of the day, I had to answer “I don’t know” to every question they had. Today, I think about the kindness of Linda Fannon, who made sure I was aware of the events, and my pride in my children. I also reflect upon the great losses our country endured but hope that we can continue to appreciate all of the blessings we have here.
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Poverty
Saturday, September 4th, 2010
I have been counting my blessing lately. While working as a high school teacher, I dealt with students who had to struggle with financial issues, but now that I am also doing community-centered work, I really see the impact of poverty.
I have read Ruby Payne’s books and found them helpful. The backlash against her interests me. In short, the criticism stems from her taking a “deficit” approach. That strikes me as odd. People in poverty will have certain deficits.
PsychCentral recently had a blog which addressed the impact of poverty on brain development. Currently I’m reading Eric Jensen’s Teaching with Poverty in Mind and Regenia Rawlinson’s A Mind Shaped by Poverty. A question: How do we keep expectations high and not succumb to patronizing students?
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Ode to Google Reader
Sunday, August 22nd, 2010
Oh, how I love Google Reader. It helps keep all of the blogs I follow organized in an understandable way. I find a multitude of wonderful information from fellow educators and counselors and from fascinating people all around the world. If the post is in a foreign language, Chrome (another fantastic tool from Google) will ask me if I want a translation.
In the past week, I have accrued resources to share via my Facebook, Twitter, and Buzz accounts. Some of my favorites:
Learning beyond Walls, 21 Skype Resources
and
Everyday Health: What Not to Say to a Depressed Person
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Dog Days
Sunday, August 8th, 2010
Well, I am sad to see summer winding down, but it has been lovely. I just returned from a week in Ocean City with my good friend Colleen. We spent most of the time doing nothing, which I highly recommend. While we missed our good friend Diane, we had a chance to check in with her, and she is doing fine after her surgery.
I tried to go for a 30 minute walk along the beach most of the days. I saw some great sights: two small red-headed children setting up an umbrella; an older brother “protecting” his younger brother from the ocean as it filled the hole he was digging; sandpipers scurrying along the water line; all kinds of fishing; and many more. The white marlin competition was happening, but we didn’t venture down that way. There were enough intense fishermen right by my condo.
One day we walked up to the Bay Side Skillet and had an amazing breakfast, but most of the time we cooked in the condo. We did go out to celebrate my birthday (I had my yearly mudslide . . or two), and we went to the Boardwalk and to the movies twice. All in all, it was a fantastic vacation.
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July!
Thursday, July 1st, 2010
Ah, the best month of all has finally arrived. I adore July. The only downside is that property tax bills arrive, but at least that means we have a stable residence. I enjoy the weather, the holiday, the lack of running back and forth to school, and my birthday, especially.
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Half a Century
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010
Next month, I will celebrate my 50th birthday. I am not quite sure how I feel about this. I am not dreading it (my 30th was awful), and I’m not indifferent (40 was no big deal). More than anything, I think I am baffled. How did 50 years pass?
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